I had a great time this past weekend teaching DNN'ers some cool tricks I've learned in the real-world of DNN development at the MSDN Orlando Code Camp. The video version of the tutorial will be available on this website within the next two weeks.

Session 1: Real World DotnNetNuke Skinning with ASCX User Controls

In this session we covered some of the gotchas of DNN Skinning and how you can get around those with some effective planning when you start with your design. We walked through setting up the folder structure so that we could get in and edit the files on-the-fly without having to use the skin package uploader. To demonstrate what proper planning can do, we started with a Photoshop-based design and cranked out a skin with four different layouts in less than thirty minutes. The video version of the tutorial will be available on this website within the next two weeks. Everyone who attended the session and registers at the website will gain access to the skin package that is currently available on Snowcovered for $50. To preview the live version of this skin Click Here.

Session 2: Developing Custom Modules the Easy Way with Code Generation and Freely Available Tools

In my session on developing custom modules, I showed DNN'ers how to get around having to write all of the code for the provider and base controller class. By using code generation tools, we were able to start by creating a table in SQL Server and have the data, object definition and controller class written for us so that we could focus on the the fun coding. We walked through creating a functionally equivalent module to the core Feedback module that stores the messages from users in the database instead of sending them as emails. Without too much smoke in mirrors we were able to get in complete in less than an hour.

The solutions, project files and links to the tools are available to all registered users of this website. Becoming a registered user is easy, all you have to do is follow the "Register" link at the top of the page. The links to the templates are direct links to the downloads. To view the documentation on the modules go to http://dnnjungle.vmasanas.net/Development/Templates/tabid/28/Default.aspx